This week marked the five year of another provincial health emergency, declared by health officer Dr. Perry Kendall in response to rising overdose deaths in BC. In 2016 the annual death toll from drug use was 991 and was steadily climbing until...
Read moreThe splendor of God
Anne Morrow Lindbergh wrote, “I don’t see why I am always asking for private, individual, selfish miracles when every year there are miracles like white dogwoods.” Her words came to mind as I stood under the magnolia tree in our church courtyard...
Read moreIsn’t Easter a Pagan tradition?
It’s 2021 and I’m still asked if it’s “right” for a Christian to celebrate Easter. The snarky side of me wants to rebuff the disguised critique but if I pause to pray, I find just enough patience and compassion to...
Read moreFacing the Hate
Christians have more than a hashtag to offer right now. Calling to #StopAsianHate won’t go far enough to address racism but the Gospel can. Canada has a higher number of reported anti-Asian hate crime incidents per Asian capita compared to...
Read moreThe disadvantaged Jesus
Not only was Jesus’ human experience humbling, it was humiliating. Born in a barn, judged the illegitimate son of an unvirtuous teen mom, a child refugee with a labouring class father, living in a town of ill repute, any hope of greatness was...
Read moreJesus Feminist
The first International Women’s Day was observed in 1911 by over a million people across Europe and has since been accepted in some nations as a public holiday. It is a day to both honour womanhood and recognize prevailing gender-based...
Read moreHidden in Plain Sight
Have you had an experience where you just “knew” God was at work behind the scenes? Perhaps it’s just the opposite and you’re wondering why God has abandoned you. This week our Jewish neighbours are celebrating Purim, one...
Read moreAccess to the King
There once was a king of a great empire who was holding a council in his throne room with his advisers, the powerful governors and the prestigious experts. Suddenly there was a bang and a clatter at the door of the closed chamber. All eyes turned...
Read moreViral Note of Thanks
A thank you note from a BC women to her Victoria RCMP jailors recently went viral, even finding a featured spotlight during The Tonight Show. The handwritten letter from the former inmate thanked the officers for their service and even included a...
Read moreThe Sea Shanty and the Spiritual
Did you know there’s a sea song in the Bible? As the prophet Ezekiel foresees the demise of Tyre, a thriving port city, he hears the sorrowful lyrics sung by captains and sailors (Ezek 27:32-36). Chances are you do know another kind of sea...
Read moreThe Prophet and the Poet
What a historic week. Regardless of your political leaning or citizenship, the dramatic change that occurred with leadership of the United States was significant and monumental. It was also rich in metaphors for our Christian spiritual journey...
Read moreThe Wolf and the Sheep
There once was a Wolf who could not silence the rumbling demands of his stomach. Even though he prowled the forest bordering fields of sheep, the diligent watch of the Shepherd guarded against every approach. Then one night during shearing season...
Read more